Vol. 130, No. 23, June 9, 2000. 8 pages. View this issue
Racial profiling and community defense ran through this eight-page issue. Tracy Uba reported that Philadelphia’s Mayor John Street chose a ballpark site next to historic Chinatown, and residents threatened legal action to stop it. Other front-page stories covered the Association for Asian American Studies boycott of federal laboratories and a national day of outrage for Wen Ho Lee, joined by National JACL. Lyndsey Shinoda reported on the Reno JACL chapter’s response to a Nevada Appeal column defending the World War II incarceration (often called internment).
Inside are a Bill Marutani column reviewing Clifford I. Uyeda’s autobiography, and two letters, one from a Heart Mountain draft resister about JACL’s apology to WWII resisters. Other items cover UCLA’s new Asian American writers’ archive, Nisei Week’s place in a Library of Congress project, the Nisei Memorial in Denver, and the Mike Masaoka Fellowship deadline.
What’s in this issue
National
- Philadelphia Chinatown Opposes Proposed Baseball Stadium, by Tracy Uba, page 1. Philadelphia’s Mayor John Street selected a downtown site adjacent to historic Chinatown for a new Phillies ballpark, sparking opposition from Asian American community members who fear it will harm the historic enclave. City officials say they are considering community concerns, but activists and Chinatown leaders remain determined to block the stadium plan, even threatening legal action.
- Nevada Appeal Column Sparks Outrage from JACL Reno Chapter, by Lyndsey Shinoda, page 1. An opinion column by Bob Thomas in the Nevada Appeal defending the internment of Japanese Americans sparked a strong response from the Reno JACL chapter and numerous letters to the editor. Chapter president Bud Fujii and professor Michelle Trusty-Murphy criticized the column as factually inaccurate and racist, while Thomas maintained he was not a racist and stood by his account.
- Resolution Calls for Boycott of Labs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Association for Asian American Studies passed a resolution urging members to boycott federal laboratories by not applying for jobs there, in protest of the treatment of scientist Dr. Wen Ho Lee and perceived racial profiling of Asian American scientists. The resolution passed by an overwhelming majority and follows a similar boycott call from Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education.
- UCLA Establishes First National Asian American Writer’s Archive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center announced the establishment of the first Asian American writers’ archive in the United States, housed in UCLA’s Special Collections. Founding writers include Janice Mirikitani, Al Robles, and Hisaye Yamamoto, with the project spearheaded by Russell C. Leong to ensure APA literary materials remain publicly accessible rather than going into private collections.
- AAPCHO Releases Diabetes Report on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations released a first-of-its-kind report detailing the issues facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders suffering from diabetes. The report, based on surveys of about 100 AAPIs with diabetes and interviews with health providers, highlights challenges like culturally appropriate care and diet management.
JACL
- National Youth Candidates Outline Vision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This is the fourth in a series profiling candidates for national JACL youth offices, based on their nomination forms. The piece covers candidates Matthew W. Nakata and Amy H. Matsumoto, detailing their JACL involvement, leadership philosophy, and qualifications for National Youth/Student Council positions.
- Masaoka Fellowship Fund Extends Application Deadline, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mike Masaoka Fellowship Fund extended its application deadline to August 1 for the 2000-2001 term. Candidates must be American citizens in at least their third year of college with demonstrated commitment to Asian American issues, and the recipient will serve in Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office.
Community
- Civil Rights Groups Hold National Day of Outrage in Support of Wen Ho Lee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Coalition Against Racial and Ethnic Profiling (CARE) held a national day of outrage protesting the treatment of Wen Ho Lee. National JACL joined the protest, demanding the U.S. government stop using ethnicity as a basis for suspicion of Asian Americans.
- Rumberg Appointed to City of Alexandria Human Rights Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A JACL/OCA alumna was appointed to the City of Alexandria’s Human Rights Commission, which sets city human rights policy and handles unresolved discrimination complaints. She credited a JACL/OCA leadership conference with inspiring her to apply for the position.
- YWCA Honors Two Omaha JACL Chapter Members as ‘Women of Vision’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pamela K. Watanabe-Gerdes and Judy Zaiman Gotsdiner of the Omaha JACL chapter were honored by the YWCA as ‘Women of Vision’ for their achievements in business and law respectively, along with their community service. Watanabe-Gerdes founded a successful giftware company while Gotsdiner serves as legal counsel for the Omaha JACL chapter and holds various community board positions.
- Nisei Week Japanese Festival to be Documented and Preserved by U.S. Library of Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Nisei Week Japanese Festival will represent Los Angeles in the Library of Congress’s national Local Legacies project honoring the nation’s cultural heritage, announced by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. The festival, celebrating its 60th year, promotes Japanese American culture through parades, exhibits, and traditional events in Little Tokyo.
- 54th Nisei Memorial Honors JA Veterans, by AP, page 6. About 100 people gathered at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver for the 54th annual Nisei Memorial ceremony honoring Japanese American veterans who served despite facing racism at home. Speakers included Rev. Amy Wake and veteran Grace Uyeda Miyahara, who was interned before serving as a nurse in the Korean War.
Commentary
- Some Straight Shooting, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Columnist Bill Marutani reviews Clifford I. Uyeda’s autobiography ‘Suspended: Growing Up Asian in America,’ which recounts Uyeda’s rejection from Boston University Medical School due to wartime racism against Japanese Americans. The book also offers a critical assessment of JACL’s wartime leadership, arguing the organization failed to understand that resistance to injustice was natural and necessary.
- Letter: Tribute to Shig’s Dedication to JACL, page 7. A letter writer recounts firsthand knowledge of a JACL member’s dedication, describing how he volunteered as LEC treasurer from 1984-89 with no one else willing to take the job. The writer recalls late-night calls to his home as he worked diligently on the books and checks.
- Letter: Apology to WWII Resisters, page 7. A Heart Mountain draft resister writes to set the record straight regarding JACL’s apology to WWII resisters, expressing views likely shared by other resisters and the Fair Play Committee. The writer acknowledges JACL’s contributions while maintaining that resisters deserve respect for their courage regardless of agreement with their chosen actions, and notes an online archive of related letters and documents at JAvoice.com.
Obituaries
- Hirao, Fumie, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fumie Hirao, 81, of Los Angeles, born in Hiroshima, died May 16, survived by husband Nobuo Jimmy Hirao and other family members including brother Masaru Bill Yamamoto. She is also survived by sister Helen T. Motokane and other relatives.
- Kuwayama, Yeiichi ‘Kelly’, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Yeiichi ‘Kelly’ Kuwayama of Los Angeles died May 16, survived by his son Rev. Noriyoshi. The obituary lists surviving family members in the community.
- Tsurudome, Shigenori, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Shigenori Tsurudome, 88, of Chula Vista, born in Japan, died April 30, survived by wife Peggy and sons Ben and Jimmie. He is also survived by sisters Tane Tsurudome and Taye Okamura and brother Tamio.
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